The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Zachary's naive yet blunt words pierced my heart like a needle.

In his moment of illness and vulnerability, he was still thinking of the woman who had caused him to become sick.

I looked down at him.

He was clearly exhausted after his stomachache, as he had fallen asleep again after saying that.

Steven must have heard Zachary's words, too. He took my hand. "Honey."

I felt no inclination to respond. I instinctively wanted to pull away.

However, Steven tightened his grip, not allowing me to withdraw. "Today was just an accident. Mom acted without consulting us, and Zachary was sick. He didn't mean what he said."

"I can understand him," I replied, holding Zachary as I started to walk toward the exit. "He likes Jessica now. Of course, he's going to think she's wonderful."

After a pause, I continued, "Since I banned him from contacting her, his resistance will be strong at first. But Zachary isn't a bad kid. I'll guide him back to understanding who truly cares for him. "But I hope you can keep your word. I can overlook today's incident as a mistake, but I don't want there to be a next time."

As I spoke, I stopped.

Fearing I would tire myself, Steven took Zachary from my arms. "I promise that I'll do better, honey."

I looked at the sleeping child in Steven's arms and fell silent.

...

Steven parked the car when we arrived home. Seeing Zachary peacefully asleep, I didn't want to wake him up.

Just as I was about to carry him inside, Steven was already standing by the passenger door. His voice was soft as he said, "I'll do it."

Then, he effortlessly lifted Zachary with one hand while extending the other toward me.

I

frame and handsome features, making him seem almost like a celestial being. "Let's go home, Mrs. Pelham," he

taking his hand and stepping out of the

Steven gently placed Zachary in his

to his room. Steven helped by removing Zachary's

He didn't wake up even as I finished drying him off and dressed him in his pajamas. He would grunt occasionally, expressing his discomfort,

that, Steven simply smiled indulgently. He tossed the towel into the basin and left the room

at the edge of the

only times we seemed to coexist peacefully were when he was asleep. "Honey." Steven approached and bent down

his neck and

light with his elbow and closed Zachary's bedroom door. "Do you remember what we said before heading to the hospital?"

before going to the hospital. But I

moment I held Zachary, I seriously considered whether I should divorce Steven. But then, I thought about how Jessica was already causing

I couldn't let our family fall apart for Zachary's

mind raced with these thoughts. I struggled to remember what had happened before going

door. He cradled my

tone of intimacy

playful as he asked, "Have

but I wasn't about to let him

eyes, my

My cheeks, flushed from our kiss, glowed with a vibrant charm.

...

of the day, compounded by exhaustion that night, weighed

the hospital due to stomach issues. He obviously needed careful

rise early and prepare breakfast for

a pot to make the oatmeal softer and more mushy. I started by boiling water on high heat, then switched to low to let it simmer. Glancing at the clock, I noted that it was still early-only a little past 5:00 am. I decided to

I only started

dishes-one was sautéed vegetables,

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